Gardening in the Shade

Groundcovers and vines

Since few turf grasses are well adapted to shady conditions, groundcovers are often an excellent alternative to turf in the shade (Table 4). Rather than struggling to keep grass alive in these problem areas, choose from among the following groundcovers that do best with some protection from full sun. Some may be used either as a groundcover or a shade-tolerant vine.

Ajuga, Carpetweed, Bugleweed (Arjuga reptans)

Shade toleranceLight, medium or full

Size4 inches tall, flower spikes to 12 inches

Semi-evergreen foliage ranges from solid green to variegated green, white and burgundy/red. Flower color is usually blue or purple, but some pink or white forms are available. The closely related (A. pyramidalis) 'Metallica Crispa' has bronze foliage and blue flowers in spring.

Bethlehem sage, Lungwort (Pulmonaria saccharata)

Shade toleranceLight, medium or full

Size1 to 1-1/2 foot tall

Rosettes of straplike leaves, most varieties with some silvery mottling. 'Mrs. Moon' is a good variety. Pink flower buds open to blue flowers in spring.

Common periwinkle (Vinca minor)

Vining, matlike evergreen groundcover. Glossy green leaves. Blue flowers in spring and sporadically through the summer. Grows well under trees.

English ivy (Hedera helix)

Shade toleranceLight, medium or full

Size6 to 12 inches tall

Trailing evergreen vine. Prune or mow annually to maintain density. Many selections available. Leafspot can be a problem. Grows well under trees.

Epimedium, Barrenwort (Epimedium )sp

Shade toleranceLight, medium or full

SizeMost are 1 to 1-1/2 feet tall

Heart-shaped trifoliate leaves, often with some red or bronze coloration. Flowers in spring are usually yellow or white, resembling small orchids. Relatively slow growing.

Hosta, Plantain lily (Hosta sp)

Shade toleranceLight, medium to full

SizeVaries from 3 inches to 3 feet tall

Many species and cultivars of hosta are available. Foliage colors range from solid green, yellow-green or blue-green to variegated forms with white or gold markings. Many produce stalks of white to lavender flowers. Tolerate most growing conditions.

Japanese spurge (Pachysandra terminalis)

Shade toleranceLight to medium

Size8 to 10 inches tall

Glossy green, semi-evergreen foliage. White flowers in spring. The Allegheny pachysandra, (P. procumbens,) is native, and better adapted to Missouri's climate, but more difficult to find.

Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria majalis)

Shade toleranceLight, medium or full

Size8 inches tall

Fragrant stalks of white bell-shaped flowers in late spring. Foliage may deteriorate late in the season. Prefers moist, fertile sites, but tolerates most shady locations.

Lilyturf (Liriope spicata)

Shade toleranceLight, medium or full

Size1 foot tall

Dark green, grasslike foliage. White to lavender flower spikes similar to grape hyacinths develop in late summer. (L. muscari,) Big blue lilyturf grows to 1-1/2 feet tall and produces dark purple flowers. It is best in the southern half of the state.

Mock strawberry (Duchesnea indica)

Shade toleranceLight, medium or full

Size6 inches tall

Semi-evergreen trailing foliage. Rampant grower. Yellow blossoms through much of the summer, followed by strawberry-like fruits. Tolerates drought and heat.

Virginia creeper, Woodbine (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

Tough vine for most any situation. Will climb to tree tops. Colors early in the fall, developing a red or purplish coloration. Engelmann ivy is similar, but with smaller leaves.

Wild ginger (Asarum canadense)

Shade toleranceLight, medium or full

Size6 inches tall

Native to Missouri woodlands. Deciduous, heart-shaped, leathery green leaves. Flowers are purplish brown in spring, but usually hidden by leaves. European ginger, A. europaeum is evergreen with glossy foliage.

Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei)

Shade toleranceLight, medium or full

Size1/2 to 2 feet tall

Vining woody semi-evergreen groundcover. Many cultivars are available: 'Coloratus' turns purple in winter, 'Emerald Gaiety' has variegated white leaf margins, 'Emerald and Gold' is variegated green and yellow. Scale insects can be a severe problem. Considered by many to be an invasive species.

Yellow archangel, Dead nettle (Lamiastrum galeobdolon)

Shade toleranceLight, medium or full

Size1 to 1-1/2 feet tall

Fast-growing vinelike groundcover. The form with silver variegation is most desirable. Yellow flowers in late spring. Shear in midsummer for more compact growth.